Hepa air filtration with an air handling system

ABSTRACT

A HEPA/VOC air handling system is disclosed. It has a HEPA air filtration unit and an air handling unit. The HEPA air filtration unit has a fresh air intake, an inside air intake, a pre-filter unit, a HEPA air filter, and HEPA fan. The HEPA fan draws fresh air and inside air into a HEPA chamber to form combined air that moderates the fresh air toward the inside air&#39;s temperature and humidity to inhibit shocking or damaging the components in the HEPA air filtration unit. The combined air passes through the pre-filter unit and then the HEPA air filter to form HEPA filtered combined air. The air handling unit has a HEPA filtered combined air intake, a return air intake, an air handling device fan, and a supply outlet wherein the HEPA filtered combined air mixes with the return air to (A) form mixed air and (B) further moderate the HEPA filtered combined air toward the return air&#39;s temperature and humidity to inhibit shocking or damaging the components in the air handling device, and the rooms that receive the mixed air.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/779,671 filed on Dec. 14, 2018.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high-efficiency particulateair/volatile organic compounds air filtration unit (commonly referred toas a HEPA/VOC device and collectively referred to as HEPA in thisapplication) being used in association with an air handling device forthe manipulation and control of air in an enclosure. The enclosure canbe, for example, a building, a room within the building, or similarenclosed environments, wherein it is desirable or required to controlthe air temperature, air humidity and air contaminants in the enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,050; Gagnon wrote, “Such air handling systems(e.g. ventilation apparati or systems) may for example include anelement for the transfer of heat from warm exhaust air (taken frominside an enclosure e.g. a building) to cooler exterior fresh air (drawninto the enclosure e.g. building). Air handling systems (e.g.ventilation systems and apparati) may not only exhaust stale interiorair to the outside of an enclosure but as desired or necessary alsointermingle a portion of such stale air with fresh air for delivery ofthe intermingled air back into the enclosure (during cold or warmweather).

Heat recovery ventilation systems are known whose function is to drawfresh exterior air into a building and to exhaust stale interior air tothe outside. The systems are provided with appropriate ducting, channelsand the like which define a fresh air path and an exhaust air pathwhereby with the interior air of a building and the exterior ambient airmay be exchanged; during ventilation the air in one path is not normallyallowed to mix with the air in the other path . . . .

Heat recovery ventilation devices may also have a housing or cabinet;such enclosures may for example be of sheet metal construction (e.g. thetop, bottom, side walls and any door, etc. may be made from panels ofsheet metal). The heat exchanging element(s), as well as other elementsof the device such as, for example, channels or ducts which define airpaths, filtration means, insolation and if desired one or more fans formoving air through the fresh air and exhaust air paths may be disposedin the enclosure. Such ventilation devices may be disposed on theoutside of or within a building such as a house, commercial building orthe like; appropriate insulation may be provided around any duct workneeded to connect the device to the fresh air source and the interiorair of the building.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,610, for example, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,622describe ventilation devices which exhaust stale inside air from astructure such [as] a house while delivering fresh outside air to theinterior of the building; the entire contents of each of these patentsis incorporated herein by reference. . . . [It] is known to exhauststale interior air of an enclosure to the outside of the enclosure. Itis also known to intermingle stale exhaust air of an enclosure withfresh air for delivery of the intermingled air back into the enclosure;the intermingled air prior to delivery back to the enclosure may asdesired or necessary be subjected to one or more treatment stages suchas for example a filtration stage, a heat transfer stage, etc. Adisadvantage of such known intermingling systems or apparati is that theentire stale exhaust air flow stream is intermingled with a fresh airflow stream to obtain an intermingled air flow of greater volume thanthat of the initial exhaust air flow; it is this greater volume ofintermingled air that is then subjected to a filtration stage. The sotreated (i.e. filtered) air is then split into a first portion fordelivery back to the enclosure and a second portion for exhausting tothe exterior of the enclosure. A drawback of such a known system is thatthe air exhausted outside the enclosure (e.g. dwelling) has beensubjected to a filtration treatment stage, a heat transfer stage, etc.before exhaustion. This reduces the efficiency of a filtering/heattransfer/purifying capability of the system for the enclosure (e.g.dwelling).

It would be advantageous to have a ventilation method, system, apparatusor the like which avoids the exhausting of a portion of treated air(e.g. filtered, heat treated, etc.) to the exterior of an enclosure.

Ventilation systems and devices such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,193,610, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,622 are known to exploitdamper systems which control the flow of air through the various ductsand channels thereof. Such known damper systems may exploit damperswhich are actuated (i.e. displaced from one position or configuration toanother position or configuration) by means of rigid (metal) link rod(s)driven by a motor arm mounted directly on a damper actuation motor.These systems require significant precision to work properly because aslight variation in rod or arm length may result in improper damperclosure. More particularly, such damper systems are used to controlpairs (i.e. two) of dampers which respectively may close off or open afresh air path as well as contemporaneously opening or closing off astale exhaust air path. If one of the dampers fails to completely closewhile the other is still open, this may result in an air leak, which maylead to ice buildup under certain cold weather operating conditions.

It would there for be advantageous to have a damper system whichcomprises a plurality [of] (i.e. two or more) dampers which are to becontemporaneously displaced which is self-aligning, i.e. if a dampercloses before the other, an activation component will be able tocontinue to act on the unclosed damper until the second damper is fullyclosed.

It is also known that an ordinary ventilation unit, or system allowingair exchange with the exterior may cause discomfort like nose bleedingduring the winter due to over-dryness of air. It would be advantageousto have a damper means, which may be used to overcome this situation,and which reacts to constrict the flow of air as a function oftemperature variations around the damper. It would in particular beadvantageous if such a damper could react without recourse to anexternal (electrical) power source, i.e. the damper movement would be apurely mechanical device . . . .

It is known for example to provide an air handling system which providesfor the mixing of a cold (and possibly dry) air stream with a hot (andpossibly humid) air stream. However, the intermingling or mixing of suchstreams may lead to the presence in the system of undesirable orunwanted water condensation and even snow or ice buildup; this isespecially so if a cold/dry flow of air (exterior air) is merely broughtinto contact with a flow of high humidity warm/hot air (interior airsuch as from a dwelling) during winter conditions. On the opposite sidea similar undesirable water buildup (i.e. a liquid or solid) may occurin an air handling system if fresh hot humid outside air is contactedwith relatively cool stale dry inside air (i.e. hot summer conditions) .. . .

Referring to FIG. 1 [identified as prior art for this document], thisfigure illustrates a known integrated fresh air supply and exhaust airventilator system which exploits an air flow pre-mixing stage 2 whereina fresh air flow 4 drawn from outside of an enclosure (e.g. dwelling,not shown), is mixed with a stale air flow 6 drawn from within theenclosure so as to produce a resulting intermingled (i.e. a mixed)airflow 8 which as may be seen is a combination of the total of thestale and fresh air flows. The so obtained total intermingled (i.e.mixed) air flow 8 is then passed through an air filter or purifier stage10 so as to obtain a filtered intermingled air flow 12.

After the air filtering/purifying stage the filtered intermingled airflow 12 is passed through a blower assembly 14 to an upstream airsplitting stage 16 wherein the filtered intermingled air flow 12 isdivided into an exhaust (treated-filtered) air flow portion 18 forexhaustion outside of the enclosure and a treated (i.e. filtered) airflow supply 20 for delivery into the enclosure (e.g. dwelling).

Although the illustrated ventilation system does introduce fresh airfrom outside of an enclosure into the enclosure, the main drawback withthis known system is that part of treated (i.e. filtered) air isexhausted outside the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). This reduces theefficiency of the filtering/purifying capability of the system for theenclosure (e.g. dwelling).

Referring to FIG. 2 [identified as prior art for this document], thisfigure illustrates in schematic fashion a modified known integratedsupply and exhaust ventilator system. There is a fresh air inflow 22from the exterior of the enclosure and a stale air inflow 24 from theinterior of the enclosure; there is also a treated air outflow 26 to theenclosure and an exhaust air outflow 28 to the exterior of theenclosure. The modified system includes a heat exchange or transferstage 30, such as for example an air-to-air sensible heat exchangerand/or desiccant exchanger (i.e. for the air-to air transfer of watermoisture and/or sensible heat). The system also exploits an air flowpre-mixing stage 32 wherein the heat treated fresh air flow 34 is mixedwith the stale air flow 24 so as to produce a resulting intermingled(i.e. a mixed) airflow 36 which as may be seen is a combination of thetotal of the stale and fresh air flows. The so obtained totalintermingled (i.e. mixed) air flow 36 is then passed through an airfilter or purifier stage 38 so as to obtain a filtered intermingled airflow 40. After the air filtering/purifying stage the filteredintermingled air flow 40 is passed through a blower assembly 42 to anupstream air splitting stage 44 wherein the filtered intermingled airflow 40 is divided into an exhaust (treated-filtered) air flow portion46 and the treated (i.e. filtered) air flow supply 26 for delivery intothe enclosure (e.g. dwelling).

As may be seen the heat exchange or transfer stage 30 provides for aheat exchange or transfer between the fresh air inflow 22 and theexhaust air flow portion 46 to produce the heat treated outflow 28.

This type of known heat exchange system has a drawback in addition tothe drawback discussed above with respect to the system illustrated inFIG. 1. The efficiency of this illustrated known heat exchange system isreduced since a portion of the fresh airflow is subjected to a secondheat exchange treatment, namely, the portion of the fresh airflowassociated with the exhaust air portion is again subjected to heatexchange prior to being exhausted.

Referring to FIG. 3 [identified as prior art for this document], thisfigure shows in schematic fashion an example embodiment of [an]integrated supply and exhaust ventilator system in accordance with the[disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,050]. In general as may be seen thefresh air pre-mixing stage 48 and the stale air splitting stage 50 areboth disposed downstream of the air filter or purifier stage 52. Thesystem illustrated employs two blower assemblies 54 and 56 which arerespectively disposed on the upstream sides of the fresh air pre-mixingstage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50; one or both of the blowerscould of course be disposed on the downstream sides of the fresh airpre-mixing stage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50. Thus as may beseen a stale air flow stream 58 is delivered to the stale air splittingstage 50 which divides the air flow into an exhaust (untreated) air flowportion 60 for exhaustion (via a blower assembly 56) directly outside ofthe enclosure and a stale airflow portion 62 for delivery to the freshair pre-mixing stage 48 wherein the fresh air flow 64 from outside ofthe enclosure is intermingled (e.g. mixed) with the stale airflowportion to provide an untreated intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 68.The untreated intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 68 is then passedthrough the air filter or purifier stage 52 so as to obtain a filteredintermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 70 which is then passed through theblower assembly 54 into the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). The fresh airpremixing stage 48 and stale air splitting stage 50 may take any desiredor known form; they may for example take the form of the airintermingling assembly as described [in the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No.6,855,050].

An advantage with this new system is that the stale air is exhausted tothe outside of the enclosure to outside without any prior air treatment.Additionally fresh air from outside is added to the stale air to betreated (i.e. filtered) just before the filter/purification process.Therefor only the necessary airflow is treated (i.e. filtered) priordistribution in the dwelling.

Referring to FIG. 4 [identified as prior art for this document], thisfigure illustrates in schematic fashion a modified version in accordancewith the [disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,050] of the integratedsupply and exhaust ventilator system as shown in FIG. 3. There is afresh air inflow 72 from the exterior of the enclosure and a stale airinflow 74 from the interior of the enclosure; there is also a treatedair outflow 76 to the enclosure and a heat treated exhaust air outflow78 to the exterior of the enclosure. The modified system includes a heatexchange or transfer stage 80, such as for example an air-to-airsensible heat exchanger and/or desiccant exchanger (i.e. for the air-toair transfer of water moisture and/or sensible heat). The system has afresh air pre-mixing stage 82 and a stale air splitting stage 84 whichare both disposed downstream of the air filter or purifier stage 86. Thesystem illustrated employs two blower assemblies 88 and 90 which arerespectively disposed on the upstream sides of the fresh air pre-mixingstage 82 and stale air splitting stage 84. Thus as may be seen the staleair flow stream 74 is delivered to the stale air splitting stage 84which divides the air flow into an exhaust (untreated) air flow portion92 and a stale airflow portion 94. The air flow portion 92 is deliveredto the heat exchange or transfer stage 80 for heat transfer with thefresh air inflow 72 to produce the heat treated exhaust air outflow 78which is exhausted (via a blower assembly 88) outside of the enclosure.The stale airflow portion 94 is delivered to the fresh air pre-mixingstage 82 wherein the heat treated fresh air flow 96 from the heatexchange or transfer stage 80 is intermingled (e.g. mixed) with thestale airflow portion 94 to provide an intermingled (i.e. a mixed)airflow 98. The intermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 98 is then passedthrough the air filter or purifier stage 86 so as to obtain the filteredintermingled (i.e. a mixed) airflow 76 which is then passed through theblower assembly 90 into the enclosure (e.g. dwelling). The fresh airpre-mixing stage 82 and stale air splitting stage 84 may take anydesired or known form; they may for example take the form of the airintermingling assembly as described herein.

As may be seen in accordance with the system shown in FIG. 4, the freshair flow is first directed to the heat exchange or transfer stage andthe heat treated fresh air flow leaving the heat exchange stage isdirected to the pre-mixing stage whereas the untreated (i.e. unfiltered)exhaust stale air flow portion prior to exhaustion outside of theenclosure (e.g dwelling) is directed to the heat exchange or transferstage and the heat treated exhaust stale air flow portion is thendirected outside of the enclosure (e.g. dwelling).

[According to Gagnon et al., an] additional advantage with [the FIG. 4(prior art)] system is improved efficiency since fresh airflow is notsubjected to a further heat exchange through the sensible heat exchangerand/or desiccant exchanger stage as part of the exhausted air, i.e.which is the case for the system shown in FIG. 2 [(prior art)]. Thus thesize of the sensible heat exchanger or desiccant exchanger may bereduced as compared to the system depicted in FIG. 2” (prior art).

The above-identified prior art single phase fresh air and return airsystems are known and acknowledged to be deleterious to a HEPA airfilter system since water condensation, ice, snow or water buildup areknown problems with such single phase mixing. The present inventionaddresses those above-identified problems so a HEPA air filter systemcan be used effectively with fresh air conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A HEPA air filtration unit interconnects to an air handling devicewherein collectively the HEPA air filtration unit and air handlingdevice, as managed by a controller, delivers filtered conditioned air toa room. The room can be a conventional room, a building, or an area thatfiltered conditioned air is desirable or required.

The HEPA air filtration unit and the air handling device are able toreceive return air, wherein return air is (a) air that was previouslyused in the above-identified room and (b) directed to the HEPA airfiltration unit and the air handling device through return duct work(s).The HEPA air filtration unit, which contains a HEPA filter system, alsoreceives fresh air. Prior to entering the HEPA air filtration unit,multiple air characteristics regarding both the fresh air and the returnair are measured and those measurements are transmitted to a controller.After evaluating those measurements in relation to first predeterminedthreshold values and preferably second predetermined threshold values,the controller adjusts the opening or closing of (a) a fresh air damper,(b) a return air damper and (c) a return duct damper. The fresh airdamper and the return air damper operate independently of each other andthe controller permits desired quantities of the respective fresh airand return air into a first chamber of the HEPA air filtration unitthrough the fresh air damper and the return air damper. In contrast, thereturn duct damper is opened and closed to control the volume of returnair that can pass through the return air damper in order to avoid, atleast, over-pressurizing the room or the first chamber. The return ductdamper can also direct return air toward the environment outside theHEPA air filtration unit and the air handling device.

Returning to the fresh air and the return air entering the firstchamber, the desired quantities of fresh air and return air that enterthe first chamber are calculated by the controller to permit the freshair and the return air that enters the first chamber to mix andhopefully achieve at least first predetermined threshold values when themixed air is measured in the first chamber. Thereby, ice and waterformation in the first chamber are decreased since the firstpredetermined threshold values are set to decrease the formation of iceor water forming in the first chamber when the fresh air and the returnair are mixing in the first chamber. That way, the HEPA air filtrationunit and the air handling device can be effectively used in variousclimates—comfortable all-season climates like Mississauga, Ontario;unbearable hot summer climates like Dallas, Tex. or Phoenix, Ariz.; orenjoyable and invigorating winter climates like Big Sky, Montana orBanff, Alberta—and not damage the HEPA air filtration unit or the airhandling device with water formation or ice formation in the firstchamber.

While in the first chamber, a first chamber sensor system measures themixed air's air characteristics and those measurements are transmittedto the controller. The controller evaluates those first chamber aircharacteristic measurements in relation to the first predeterminedthreshold values and preferably second predetermined threshold values inorder to determine if the mixed air can pass through the HEPA filtersystem. In response, the controller adjusts the opening or closing of(a) a HEPA damper that permits desired quantities of mixed air to enterthe HEPA filter system and (b) a first chamber exhaust damper thatpermits desired quantities of mixed air to exhaust toward theenvironment outside the HEPA air filtration unit and the air handlingdevice.

Once filtered, the air is directed into the air handling device. Likethe HEPA air filtration unit, the air handling device has a sensorsystem that measures air characteristics. When the air characteristicsin the air handling device meet the second predetermined thresholdvalues, which are preferred air characteristics—in relation to the firstpredetermined threshold values—, the air handling device permits the airto be delivered to the room through at least a duct work.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which FIG. 8shows various aspects for HEPA air filter for an air handler madeaccording to the present invention, as set forth below:

FIG. 1 is a prior art schematic illustration of airflow through a knownintegrated supply and exhaust ventilator system or apparatus withoutsensible heat exchanger or desiccant exchanger (i.e. without anytransfer of water moisture and sensible heat);

FIG. 2 is a prior art schematic illustration of airflow through a knownintegrated supply and exhaust ventilator system or apparatus withsensible heat exchanger and/or desiccant exchanger (i.e. with transferof water moisture and sensible heat);

FIG. 3 is a prior art schematic illustration of airflow through a knownembodiment of an integrated supply and exhaust ventilator system orapparatus without sensible heat exchanger or desiccant exchanger (i.e.transfer of water moisture and sensible heat);

FIG. 4 is a prior art schematic illustration of airflow through a knownembodiment of an integrated supply and exhaust ventilator system orapparatus with sensible heat exchanger and/or desiccant exchanger (i.e.with transfer of water moisture and sensible heat);

FIG. 5 is a prior art schematic of a HEPA filter system.

FIG. 6 is a prior art schematic of a HEPA filter system.

FIG. 7 is a prior art schematic of a HEPA filter system.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of the current invention.

FIG. 9 is a chart illustrating how the controller manages the currentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the HEPA air filtration system.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates FIG. 10 with a removable back wall.

FIG. 13 illustrates FIG. 10 with a removable front wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Americair, Inc., the assignee of this application, manufactures manyhigh-efficiency particulate air (“HEPA”) air filtration devices 100. Itsconventional HEPA air filtration devices 100 are designed to filter (a)air passing through a return air duct, (b) air passing through aconditioned air (air that is heated or cooled) duct, or (c) ambient airin a room. Americair's HEPA air filtration devices 100 were not designedto treat fresh air.

As illustrated at FIG. 5, each of Americair's conventional HEPA airfiltration device 100 has a housing 110. The housing 110 has an indoorair inlet 101, an air outlet 102, and a HEPA filter system 505positioned (A) between the indoor air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102and (B) so the air that enters the indoor air inlet 101 must passthrough the HEPA filter system 505. The air outlet 102 could direct thefiltered air into a room as illustrated at FIG. 5, a return air duct, ora conditioned air duct.

In many instances, the housing 110 has a fan 503 and a motor 504positioned after the HEPA filter system 505 as illustrated at FIG. 5 orprior to the HEPA air filter system 505. The fan 503 can also bepositioned in ductwork (return or conditioned) after the air outlet 102(see, FIG. 6) or prior to the air inlet 101 (see, FIG. 7). In theseembodiments, the fan/motor 503, 504 pulls or pushes air through (a) theHEPA air filtration device's indoor inlet, (b) the air outlet 102 and(c) the HEPA filter system 505. When the fan 503 is positioned in theHEPA air filtration unit 100, the fan's motor is, preferably, an ECmotor. An EC motor means the motor is electronically commutated whichbasically conveys it is a fan with a brushless DC motor. That fan/motor(a) controls the building's air pressure and (b) provides constant(relatively) air pressure at a desired air pressure. The air pressure ismonitored, as explained below, through air pressure sensors (a)positioned in the building, the duct work and the air controllingdevices 119 and 200 and (b) interconnected to a controller 109. Thecontroller 109 also controls the fan/motor 503 to control the movementof air through the building and the air controlling devices 119 and 200.

The HEPA filter system 505, as illustrated at FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, includes(a) a foam pre-filter 550 that removes larger particulates such as dustand dander from the air passing through, (b) a high efficiencyparticulate removal filter media 552 that is laser tested to remove99.97% of the particles in the air stream down to a size of 0.3microns—particles of concern which are normally in this size rangeinclude pollen, household dust, cigarette smoke, bacteria, molds, etc.;and, optionally, (c) an inner blanket 554 (which can be like ½ inch) ofactivated carbon impregnated with non-woven polyester filter materialwhich absorbs additional gaseous contaminants such as odors and toxicfumes. In the HEPA air filtration housing 500, the air inlet ispositioned prior to the HEPA filter system 505 and the air outlet 102 ispositioned after the HEPA filter system 505 as illustrated at FIGS. 5, 6and 7.

In particular, one version of Americair's HEPA air filtration devices100 is an AIRWASH® air filtration device. The AIRWASH® air filtrationdevice can cleanse up to 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute. Theapplicant conducted a particulate study that compared the number ofparticulates in a 15′×30′ room prior to operating its AIRWASH° airfiltration device (referred to as “Ambient Room”) and after its AIRWASH°air filtration device operated for 20 minutes (referred to as “20 minOperating”), wherein the particle reader, identified above, waspositioned on a conventional end table in the middle of the room. Theresults were as follows:

Condition Particle Count Ambient Room 297,400 20 min Operating 166,400

As indicated above, Americair Corporation manufactures numerous types ofair filtration devices and corresponding HEPA filter systems. Its HEPAair filtration devices (and units when connected to an air handlingdevice) are in large, medium or small housing structures that utilizecorresponding sized HEPA filter systems. Its air filtration devicessometimes require tools to insert and replace HEPA filter systems.Americair also manufactures a threaded HEPA filter housing structure forone of its HEPA filter systems by having an EasyTwist brand threaded endcap.

That threaded HEPA filter system has a threaded end cap at one end, aHEPA air filter section (pre-filter and HEPA filter and optional innerblanket) and a second end cap at the other end. The threaded end cap hasan aperture, essentially positioned in the center of the threaded endcap, with a wall extending in a direction toward the second end cap. Thewall has the threaded area of the threaded end cap.

The threaded area releasably engages with a corresponding threadedprotrusion of an air filtration device's housing bulkhead. In oneembodiment, a filter O-ring is positioned around the threadedprotrusion, thereby the O-ring creates an air-tight seal between thethreaded end cap and the bulkhead when the two components are properlypositioned together. That air-tight seal is designed to inhibit air inthe air filtration device from bypassing the filter.

The bulkhead, preferably, has an opening within an area defined by orencircling the threaded protrusion. That bulkhead opening directs airinto or out of the HEPA air filter and/or the air outlet, depending onthe air flow's direction, to obtain the desired air quality after theair passes through the HEPA air filtration system.

Americair's threaded HEPA air filtration system has the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   Cylindrical Perfect Seal 2-Stage Cartridge (13″ Diameter×16″        Height) (see, FIG. 11, 300)    -   Stage One: ⅛″ Foam Prefilter    -   Stage Two: Granulated Carbon pellets encased in steel mesh        canister (see, FIG. 11, 302) (9475 g=10,422,500 m² adsorption        surface area)    -   Optional Stage Two: 100 sq. ft. Pleated Easy Twist HEPA        Cartridge (see, FIG. 11, 306)    -   Optional Stage Three: Granulated Carbon pellets encased in steel        mesh canister (1550 g=1,705,000 m² adsorption surface area)

In its manuals that describe how to install the threaded HEPA filter inan Amaircare® brand air filtration device, Americair wrote, “With thefilters changed or inspected, all 3 filters are ready to be placed backinto the unit. Place the HEPA cartridge gently into the unit (if acarbon canister is being used, take care not to let it slide out as itis heavy and could damage the unit.) When the HEPA cartridge is inplace, brace the unit, press down and gently turn its clockwise to lockit into place. If too much force is used, the cartridge may be difficultto remove! Replace the HEPA filter access panel. Re-install safetyscrew(s) into HEPA filter access panel.”

As previously indicated, Americair's HEPA air filtration devices 100 andin particular Americair's HEPA filter system 505 normally do not filterfresh air due to increased fluctuation in fresh air's humidity andtemperature that (a) can severely damage the HEPA filter system 505 and(b) are not present in room/building ambient air. That being said, it isrecognized that filtering fresh air prior to being conditioned by an airhandling device 200 that heats the air, maintains the ambient airtemperature, cools the air, and controls the humidity of a building'sair is desirable since a HEPA filter system removes 99.97% of theparticles in the air greater than 0.3 microns. Removing air particlesinhibits damaging the air handling device 200 and simultaneously cleansthe air. As indicated in the background of the invention, filteringfresh air prior to entering an air handling device 200 is known. Filtersused in the background of the invention would normally not meet HEPAstandards if the fresh air (a) was below 5° C., (b) was above 30° C., or(c) contained too much humidity due to the above-identified humidity andtemperature problems that damage HEPA filter systems 505.

To address the above-identified problems, the air inlet 101 in the HEPAair filtration device 100 has been altered to form a dual inlet HEPA airfiltration system 119, and an adjustable damper system, wherein eachdamper operates independently of each other damper to obtain the desiredresults, has been installed.

The air inlet 101 has been modified from a single inlet unit (see, FIGS.5, 6, and 7) to a dual inlet unit having a fresh air inlet 600 and areturn air inlet 702 as illustrated at FIG. 8. The fresh air inlet 600receives and directs fresh air taken from the outside environment into afirst chamber 150 and the return air inlet 702 directs return air from afirst return duct 750 into the first chamber 150,

The fresh air inlet 600 has a fresh air aperture 650 that permits air toenter the fresh air inlet 600. Once the fresh air enters the fresh airinlet 600. the fresh air is measured by a fresh air sensor system thatis illustrated as a fresh air temperature sensor 632, a fresh air CO₂sensor 634, a fresh air humidity sensor 636, and a fresh air quantityand quality (particulate count and size) sensor 638. Alternatively, thesensor system could have one sensor measure one, two, three or all fourabove-identified air characteristics and when the one sensor measuresthree or less of the above-identified air characteristics, then othersensor(s) measure the remaining above-identified air characteristics.The measurements from the fresh air sensor system 632, 634, 636, 638 aretransmitted to a controller 109. Prior to the fresh air entering thefirst chamber 150 and after the fresh air has been measured by the freshair sensor system—fresh air temperature sensor 632, the fresh air CO₂sensor 634, the fresh air humidity sensor 636, and the fresh airquantity and quality (particulate count and size) sensor 638—the freshair inlet 600 has a variable position fresh air damper 630 positionedbefore a fresh air inlet aperture 628—that permits fresh air to enterthe first air chamber 150. The adjustable, variable-positioned fresh airdamper 630 is operationally controlled by the controller 109 positionedin (a) the HEPA air filtration device 119, (b) the air handling device200, (c) somewhere in the building that the air handling device 200delivers air into, or (d) remotely located from the building that theair handling device 200 delivers air into, the air handling device 200and the HEPA air filtration device 119. The controller 109 determineswhen and how much fresh air is introduced, from the outside environmentthrough the fresh air inlet 600, into the first chamber 150 of the dualinlet HEPA air filtration device 119 based on various fresh air sensormeasurements when compared to (a) desired air conditions set forth asfirst predetermined threshold values and preferred second predeterminedthreshold values and (b) return air sensor measurements to decrease, andpreferably avoid, the formation of ice and water in the first chamberwhen the return air and the fresh air are mixed in the first chamber.

Similarly, the return air inlet 702 has a first return air aperture 720that directs return air into the first chamber 150 from the first returnduct 750. Prior to the return air entering the first chamber 150 throughthe first return air aperture 720, the return air in the first returnduct 750 has to be able to pass by a first return air damper 730. Withinthe first return duct 750 and prior to the return air reaching the firstreturn air damper, the return air is measured by a first return sensorsystem such as a first return air temperature sensor 732, a first returnair CO₂ sensor 734, a first return air humidity sensor 736, and a firstreturn air quantity and quality (particulate count and size) sensor 738.The adjustable, variable position return air damper 730 is operated bythe controller 109. The controller 109 determines when and how muchreturn air is introduced, from the first return air inlet 702, into thefirst chamber 150 of the dual inlet HEPA air filtration device 119 basedon the various return air sensor measurements when compared to (a)desired air conditions set forth as first predetermined threshold valuesand preferred second predetermined threshold values and (h) fresh airsensor measurements to decrease and preferably avoid the formation ofice and water in the first chamber when the return air and the fresh airare mixed in the first chamber in most climates that the HEPA airfiltration unit and the air handling device operate.

In relation to controlling the operation of the variable position freshair damper 630 and the variable position return air damper 730 asillustrated at FIGS. 8 and 9, controller 109 receives and analyzes

-   -   (a) measurements from, respectively, the fresh air sensor system        that includes the fresh air temperature sensor 632 that measures        the fresh air's temperature; the fresh air CO₂ sensor 634 that        measures the amount of CO₂ in the fresh air, the fresh air        humidity sensor 636 that measures the amount of humidity in the        fresh air, and the fresh air quantity and quality (particulate        count and size) sensor 638 that measures the air pressure and        the amount of fresh air that could enter the first chamber 150        within a predetermined and allotted time frame;    -   (b) measurements from, respectively, the first return sensor        system that includes the first return air temperature sensor 732        that measures the return air's temperature, the first return air        CO₂ sensor 734 that measures the amount of CO₂ in the return        air, the first return air humidity sensor 736 that measures the        amount of humidity in the return air, and the first return air        quantity and quality (particulate count and size) sensor 738        that measures the air pressure and the amount of return air that        could enter the first chamber 150 within a predetermined and        allotted time frame;    -   (c) a transmission from an air handling controller 211 that        identifies whether the air handling device 200 is operating or        not;    -   (d) measurements from a building or room sensor system that        include a building or room temperature sensor 460, a building or        room CO₂ sensor 462, a building or room humidity sensor 464, and        a building or room air pressure sensor 466 positioned in the        building or room 400; and    -   (e) data inputted into a room environment control panel device        110, wherein the data inputted can set or adjust        -   (i) a first predetermined threshold values regarding every            one (preferred) or any of the following air characteristics:            temperature (too cold or too hot as determined, set or            adjusted by the inputter), CO₂ content (too low or too high            as determined, set or adjusted by the inputter), air            pressure (too high or too low as determined, set or adjusted            by the inputter), humidity (too high or too low as            determined, set or adjusted by the inputter), and air-borne            particulate count/size for air conditions in the dual inlet            HEPA air filtration unit 119; and        -   (ii) a second predetermined threshold values regarding every            one (preferred) or any of the following air characteristics:            temperature (too cold or too hot as determined, set or            adjusted by the inputter), CO₂ content (too cold or too hot            as determined, set or adjusted by the inputter), air            pressure (too cold or too hot as determined, set or adjusted            by the inputter), humidity (too cold or too hot as            determined, set or adjusted by the inputter) for the room            and/or building 400; and particulate and particulate size in            the air with the understanding that the second predetermined            threshold values are the preferred air characteristics in            relation to the first predetermine threshold values.            The inputted data defines parameters, according to the            person or entity entering or inputting the data, regarding a            preferred operating air temperature and, optionally, air            humidity, and air-borne particulate count/size, and/or CO₂            content for the building and/or room that the air handling            device 200 is supposed to deliver to that building and/or            room. The inputted parameter data is entered or adjusted            manually or remotely, and/or stored in a memory storage unit            900; and such data is transmitted to or obtainable by the            controller 109 through conventional electrical transmission            conduits (not shown). The inputted parameter data that            defines the first predetermined threshold for air conditions            in the dual inlet HEPA air filtration unit 119 and the            second predetermined threshold for preferred air conditions            that enter the building and/or room 400 can be, as suggested            above, entered or adjusted by an individual, in person or            remotely, and/or an entity such as a manufacturer or a            utility provider.

After analyzing the above-identified collected and entered data, thecontroller 109 determines what percentage of the fresh air damper 630 isgoing to be open or closed to permit fresh air into the first chamber150 or not permit fresh air into the first chamber 150. If thecontroller 109 determines there is a significant difference (too hot,too cold, too much humidity, too low humidity, too much fresh air, toolittle fresh air, too many particulates, too large of particulates,and/or too much CO₂) between the fresh air conditions and thepredetermined threshold in view of (a) the conditions of the return airand (b) whether the air handling device 200 is operating or not, thencontroller 109 adjusts the fresh air damper 630 accordingly to permitthe desired amount of fresh air into the first chamber 150 to (i)inhibit the formation of the water and ice in the first chamber and (ii)obtain the first predetermined threshold values, or more preferably thesecond predetermined threshold values in the first chamber.

Similarly, after analyzing the above-identified collected and entereddata, the controller 109 determines what percentage of the first returnair damper 730 is going to be open to permit return air into the firstchamber 150 or not permit return air into the first chamber 150. If thecontroller 109 determines there is a significant difference (too hot,too cold, too much humidity, too low humidity, too much return air, toolittle return air, too many particulates, too large of particulates,and/or too much CO₂) between the return air conditions and thepredetermined threshold in view of (a) the fresh air conditions and (b)whether the air handling device 200 is operating or not, then controller109 adjusts the first return air damper 730 accordingly to permit thedesired amount of return air into the first chamber 150 to (i) inhibitthe formation of the water and ice in the first chamber and (ii) obtainthe first predetermined threshold values, or more preferably the secondpredetermined threshold values in the first chamber.

Not permitting return air into the first chamber 150 is accomplished byexhausting return air through return exhaust opening 760. The controller109 (a) controls how open, partially open or closed a return exhaustdamper 762 is wherein it is understood that the return exhaust damper762 is positioned, in a closed position, to inhibit return air toexhaust through the return exhaust outlet 760, and (b) alters theposition of the return exhaust damper 762 on whether the controller 109determines if the return air's quality and quantity does or does notmeet minimum or exceeds maximum requirements of the first predeterminedthreshold parameter(s): temperature, humidity, air pressure, too manyparticulates, too large of particulates, and/or CO₂ content. If thefiltered air's quality meets the first predetermined thresholdparameter(s), then the return air should not be exhausted through thereturn exhaust outlet 760. On the contrary, if the return air's qualitydoes not meet the first predetermined threshold parameter(s), then thereturn air should be exhausted through the return exhaust outlet 760 to(i) inhibit the formation of the water and ice in the first chamber and(ii) obtain the first predetermined threshold values, or more preferablythe second predetermined threshold values in the first chamber.

In the first chamber 150, the fresh air from the fresh air inlet 600 andthe return air from the return air inlet 702, as illustrated at FIG. 8,intermingle to form combined or mixed air. Due to controlling thequantity of fresh air and return air into the first chamber 150, thereturn air pre-heats, pre-cools, and/or alters the fresh air's humiditytoward an acceptable, as measured through a first chamber sensor systemthat includes a first chamber air temperature sensor 152 that measuresthe combined air's temperature, a first chamber air CO₂ sensor 154 thatmeasures the amount of CO₂ in the combined air, a first chamber airhumidity sensor 156 that measures the amount of humidity in the combinedair, a first chamber air quantity and quality (particulate count andsize) sensor 158 that measures the amount of combined air and air-borneparticulates that could enter a HEPA filter system 505 and thecontroller 109, in relation to the first predetermined threshold inorder to decrease the chance that the combined air's temperature andhumidity will damage the HEPA filter system 505. Such quantity controlin relation to the measured temperature, measured humidity and measuredCO₂, levels is necessary to inhibit the destruction of the HEPA filtersystem 505 by ice or water formation and simultaneously provide thedesired air quality to the building and/or room. In any case, thecombined air is drawn toward, but not automatically into, the HEPAfilter system 505.

In the first chamber 150, the combined air is designed to pre-heatand/or control the humidity of the fresh air when the fresh air iscooler and/or has too little or much humidity than the predeterminedthreshold; and alternatively pre-cool and/or control the humidity of thefresh air when the fresh air is warmer and/or has too little or muchhumidity than the predetermined threshold; and simultaneously decreasethe CO₂ content in the return air of the combined air. Controlling theconditions of the combined air prior to contacting any component of theHEPA filtration system 505 and the air handling device 200 reduces thechance of shocking or damaging the system 505 and the device 200 withexcessive heat differentials and/or high humidity conditions.

If the first chamber's combined air quality does not meet minimum orexceeds maximum requirements for temperature, humidity, air pressure,air-borne particulate count/size, and/or CO₂ content that are identifiedby the first predetermined threshold parameter(s) that are measured bythe first chamber sensor systems that include the first chamber airtemperature sensor 152, the first chamber air CO₂ sensor 154, the firstchamber air humidity sensor 156, and the first chamber air quantity andquality (particulate count and size) sensor 158, and the first chambersensor measurements are transmitted to the controller 109, thecontroller 109 compares the received first chamber sensor measurementsto the first predetermined threshold parameters, and if the controller109 determines the first chamber's combined air quality does not meetminimum or exceeds maximum requirements of the first predeterminedthreshold parameter(s): temperature, humidity, air pressure, air-boreparticulate count/size and/or CO₂ content, then the controller 109 canpermit at least a quantity of the first chamber's combined air to beexhausted to the environment through a first exhaust outlet 160. Thecontroller 109 (a) controls how open, partially open, or closed a firstexhaust damper 162 is, wherein the first exhaust damper 162 ispositioned, in a closed position, to inhibit combined air to exhaustthrough the first exhaust outlet 160, and (b) alters the position of thefirst exhaust damper 162 on whether the controller 109 determines if thefirst chamber's combined air quality does, partially does, or does notmeet minimum or exceeds maximum requirements of the first predeterminedthreshold parameter(s): temperature, humidity, air pressure, air-borneparticulate count/size and/or CO₂ content. If the combined air's qualitymeets the first predetermined threshold parameter value(s), then thecombined air should not be exhausted through the first exhaust outlet160.

To minimize damage to the HEPA filter system 505, the first chamber 150has a HEPA damper 164. The HEPA damper 164 (a) is positioned between thefilter system 505 and the first chamber 150, and (b) can work inconjunction with the first exhaust damper 162. When the first, exhaustdamper 162 is open to permit the combined air to exhaust through thefirst exhaust outlet 160, the HEPA damper 164 is closed to inhibit thecombined air to contact the HEPA filter system 505. Likewise, when thefirst exhaust damper 162 is closed to inhibit the combined air toexhaust through the first exhaust outlet 160, the HEPA damper 164 isopen to permit the combined air to pass through and he filtered by theREM filter system 505.

Once the combined air passes through the HEPA filter system 505, thecombined air becomes filtered air. The filtered air is initially in asecond chamber 800. The second chamber 800, similar to the first chamber150, has a second chamber sensor system such as a second chamber airtemperature sensor 852 that measures the filtered air's temperature, asecond chamber air CO₂ sensor 854 that measures the amount of CO₂ in thefiltered air, a second chamber air humidity sensor 856 that measures theamount of humidity in the filtered air, a second chamber air quantityand quality (particulate count and size) sensor 858 that measures theamount of filtered air and air borne-particulates/size that could enterthe air handling device 200. The second chamber 800, similar to thefirst chamber 150, also has (a) a second chamber exhaust outlet 860 witha second chamber exhaust damper 862 and (b) an air handling damper 864.

If the second chamber's filtered air quality does not meet minimum orexceeds maximum requirements regarding temperature, humidity, airpressure, air-borne particulate count/size and/or CO₂ content that areidentified by the second predetermined threshold parameter(s). wherein:

-   -   (a) the temperature, humidity, air pressure and/or CO₂ are        measured by the second chamber sensor system—for example and not        limited to the second chamber air temperature sensor 852, the        second chamber air CO₂ sensor 854, the second chamber air        humidity sensor 856, and the second chamber air quantity and        quality (particulate count and size) sensor 858,—,    -   (b) those second chamber sensor measurements are transmitted to        the controller 109,    -   (c) the controller 109 compares the received second chamber        sensor measurements to the second predetermined threshold        parameters, and    -   (d) the controller 109 determines if the second chamber's        filtered air quality does or does not meet minimum or exceeds        maximum requirements of the second predetermined threshold        parameter(s) regarding temperature, humidity, air pressure,        air-home particulate count/size and/or CO₂ content,        then the controller 109 permits the second chamber's filtered        air to be exhausted to secondary return duct 751 through the        second chamber exhaust outlet 860 and the second chamber exhaust        damper 862. The secondary return duct 751 returns the partially        cleaned filtered air or conditioned filtered air to the return        750 to repeat the above-identified process. The controller        109 (a) controls how open, partially open, or closed the second        chamber exhaust damper 862 is wherein the second chamber exhaust        damper 862 is positioned, in a closed position, to inhibit        filtered air to exhaust through the second chamber exhaust        outlet 860, and (b) alters the position of the second chamber        exhaust damper 862 on whether the controller 109 determines if        the second chamber's filtered air quality does or does not meet        minimum or exceeds maximum requirements of the second        predetermined threshold parameter(s): temperature, humidity, air        pressure, air-borne particulate count/size and/or CO₂ content.        Thus, when the filtered air's quality meets the second        predetermined threshold parameter(s), then the filtered air        should not be exhausted through the second chamber exhaust        outlet 860. On the contrary, if the filtered air's quality does        not meet the second predetermined threshold parameter(s), then        the filtered air or a portion of the filtered air in the second        chamber 800, as determined by the controller 109, should be        exhausted through the second exhaust outlet 860.

To minimize damage to the air handling device 200, the second chamber800 has an air handling damper 864. The air handling damper 864 (a) ispositioned between the second chamber 800 and the air handling device200, and (b) works in at a partial conjunction with the second exhaustdamper 862. When the second chamber exhaust damper 862 is fully open topermit the filtered air to exhaust through the second chamber exhaustoutlet 860, the air handling damper 864 could be closed to inhibit thefiltered air to contact the air handling device 200. Likewise, when thesecond chamber exhaust damper 862 is closed to inhibit the filtered airto exhaust through the second exhaust outlet 860, the air handlingdamper 864 could be open to permit the filtered air to pass through andbe handled by the air handling device 200. However, when the secondchamber exhaust damper 862 is partially open to permit at least adesired percentage of the filtered air to exhaust through the secondchamber exhaust outlet 860, the air handling damper 864 could be (a)partially open to permit a percentage of the filtered air to enter theair handling device 200 or (b) completely closed to inhibit the filteredair to contact the air handling device 200.

The air handling device 200 operates conventionally to distributefiltered air at its preferred temperature, humidity, volume, air-borneparticulate count/size, and pressure to the room/building, 400 throughan aperture 290 that directs the filtered, conditioned air into supplyair duct 960 and the room/building 400,

Alternatively, the air handling system 200 can permit, in normallyundesirable circumstances, additional return air to mix with thefiltered air through a second return duct 910 having a second returnduct sensor systems—a second return duct air temperature sensor 914, asecond return duct air CO₂ sensor 916, a second return duct air humiditysensor 918, and a second return duct air quantity and quality(particulate count and size) sensor 920 . . . , a second return ductopening 930, interconnected to the controller 109 and a second returnduct damper 932—also interconnected to the controller 109. As a resultof the chance of unfiltered return air in the air handling system 200,there is a need to monitor the air pressure, temperature, CO₂ levels,and humidity in the air handling system 200 through an air handlingsensor system such as an air handling air temperature sensor 202 thatmeasures the air temperature in the air handling system 200, an airhandling air CO₂ sensor 204 that measures the amount of CO₂ in the airhandling system 200, an air handling air humidity sensor 206 thatmeasures the amount of humidity in the air in the air handling system200, an air handling air quantity and quality (particulate count andsize) sensor 208 that measures the amount of air that could enter theroom 400. The air handling sensor system is positioned in the airhandling system 200. The measurements from the plurality ofcorresponding sensors are transmitted to the controller 109.

Controlling the amount of return air that enters directly into the airhandling system 200 is similar to controlling the amount of return airthat enters the first chamber 150. The air inlet 201 is a dual inletunit having a filtered air inlet 210, described above, and a secondreturn air inlet 212 as illustrated at FIG. 8. The second return airinlet 212 has a first return air aperture 220 that directs return airinto the air handling system 200 from the second return duct 910. Priorto the return air entering the air handling system 200 through thesecond return air aperture 220, the return air in the second return duct910 has to be able to pass by a second return air damper 930. Within thesecond return duct 910 and prior to the return air reaching the secondreturn air damper, the return air is measured by the second returnsensor system. The adjustable, variable position second return airdamper 930 is operated by the controller 109. The controller 109determines when and how much return air is introduced, from the secondreturn air inlet 910, into the air handling system 200 of the dual inletair handling system 200 based on the various second return air sensormeasurements when compared to (a) desired air conditions set forth asthe first predetermined threshold values and the preferred secondpredetermined threshold values and (b) filtered air sensor measurementsto avoid the formation of ice and water in the air handling system 200when the return air and the filtered air are mixed in the air handlingsystem 200 in most climates that the HEPA air filtration unit and theair handling device operate.

The air handling system 200 also has an air handling exhaust opening 240and a corresponding air handling damper 242 wherein the air handlingdamper is interconnected to the controller 109. The air handling damperfunctions and operates in the same manner as the first chamber exhaustdamper 162 to avoid the formation of ice and/or water in the airhandling device 200. The numerous above-identified exhaust systemsdirects some undesired air toward the secondary return duct 751 in ordernot to over-pressurize the building and/or room 400; remove undesirableair conditions from entering the building or room; and inhibit theformation of water and ice in the air handling device 200.

The above-identified dual inlet HEPA air filtration system 119 and airhandling device in connection with the controller 109, various dampersand sensors are effective in controlling the air flow through the HEPAair filtration system/air handling system without causing undue watercondensation, ice, snow, or water buildup in the HEPA filter system 505and the air handling device 200 in order to significantly decreasedamage to the HEPA filter system 505 and the air handling device 200.

It is also understood that each sensor system in each area—fresh airinlet, return air inlet, first chamber, second chamber, air handlingdevice and building/room—can be (a) separate four sensors as illustratedor (b) some or all of the identified sensors can be can be combined toform one, two or three sensors. In addition, it is understood that eachsensor system in each area—fresh air inlet, return air inlet, firstchamber, second chamber, rooftop air handling device andbuilding/room—can measure one, two, three or all four of the followingair characteristics: air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity and temperature.It is preferred that each sensor system measures all four aircharacteristics.

Alternatively, as illustrated at FIGS. 10 to 13, the air filtration unit119 can have a box-like fresh air inlet 600 having the fresh airaperture 650 interconnected to the first chamber 150. The first chamber150 has a top wall 310 having an air sealing material 312 (that alsodefines a portion of the second chamber 800), a removeable back wall 312with a sealing material with hook areas that interconnect to latches 314positioned on both side walls 330 (that also define a portion of thesecond chamber 800), a bottom wall 332 with air sealing material (thatalso defines a portion of the second chamber 800), and an intermediatewall 334 with air sealing materials facing the first chamber 150 and thesecond chamber 800. The dampers and walls are supported by brackets 340.There is also a removeable front wall 313 (see FIG. 13) with air sealingmaterial that defines the front portion of the second chamber 800. Asillustrated, each set of sensors—for example, 632, 634, 636, and 638—canbe wirelessly connected to the controller 900.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterationscan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A HEPA/VOC air handling system comprising: a HEPA air filtration unithaving a first chamber, a second chamber, a fresh air inlet that directsselected quantities of fresh air into the first chamber, a return airinlet that directs selected quantities of return air into the firstchamber, the fresh air and the return air are mixed together in thefirst chamber to form mixed air, a HEPA filter system capable ofreceiving the mixed air and directs filtered air into second chamber; anair handling unit having a filtered air intake capable of receiving thefiltered air, an air conditioning system capable of altering thefiltered air into conditioned filtered air that has a desired airtemperature and air humidity, and an outlet capable of directing theconditioned filtered air toward at least a room in a building; a freshair sensor system (a) positioned in the fresh air inlet and (b) measuresthe fresh air's air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity and temperature; areturn air sensor system (a) positioned in the return air inlet and (b)measures the return air's air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity andtemperature; a first chamber air sensor system (a) positioned in thefirst chamber and (b) measures the mixed air's air pressure, CO₂ levels,humidity and temperature; a second chamber air sensor system (a)positioned in the second chamber and (b) measures the filtered air's airpressure, CO₂ levels, humidity and temperature; an air handling airsensor system (a) positioned in the air handling unit and (b) measuresthe conditioned filtered air's air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity andtemperature; a room sensor system (a) positioned in the building and (b)measures the room air's air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity andtemperature; a controller (a) capable of receiving the measurementstransmitted from the fresh air sensor system, the return air sensorsystem, the first chamber air sensor system, the second chamber airsensor system, the air handling air sensor system, and the room sensorsystem; (b) capable of receiving a confirmation signal that confirmswhether the air handling device is operating or not, (c) evaluates themeasurements from the fresh air sensor system, the return air sensorsystem, the first chamber air sensor system to first predeterminedthreshold parameter values regarding air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidityand temperature and when every measurement from the fresh air sensorsystem is within the first predetermined threshold parameter values,then the controller permits a fresh air inlet damper to at leastpartially open to permit a calculated amount of fresh air to enter intothe first chamber; when every measurement from the return air sensorsystem is within the first predetermined threshold parameter values,then the controller permits a return air inlet damper to open to atleast partially permit a calculated amount of return air to enter intothe first chamber; wherein the calculated amount of return air and thecalculated amount of fresh air entering into the first chambercollectively (a) will decrease the chance of over-pressurizing orunder-pressurizing the room, and (b) will mix to increase the chance themixed air's characteristics will be within or move toward secondpredetermined threshold parameter values regarding air pressure, CO₂levels, humidity and temperature; when at least one measurement from thereturn air sensor system is outside the first predetermined thresholdparameter values, then the controller opens a return air inlet exhaustdamper to permit a desired quantity of return air to exhaust from theHEPA/VOC air handling system; when every measurement from the firstchamber air sensor system is within the first predetermined thresholdparameter values, then the controller, at least partially, opens a firstchamber damper to permit a desired amount of mixed air to enter into theHEPA filter system to form filtered mixed air and when at least onemeasurement from the first chamber air sensor system is outside thefirst predetermined threshold parameter values, then the controller, atleast partially, opens a first chamber exhaust damper to permit ameasured amount of mixed air to exhaust from the HEPA/VOC air handlingsystem in order for the remaining mixed air combined with additionalmixed air to increase the chance the first chamber's mixed air will bewithin the first predetermined threshold parameter values; (d) evaluatesthe measurements of the air handling air sensor system to the secondpredetermined threshold parameter values regarding the filtered mixedair's air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity and temperature and when everymeasurement from the air handling air sensor system is within the secondpredetermined threshold parameter values, then the controller opens asecond chamber damper to at least partially permit a measured amount offiltered conditioned mixed air to enter into the room and when at leastone measurement from the air handling air sensor system is outside thesecond predetermined threshold parameter values, then the controlleropens an air handling exhaust damper to at least partially permit adesired amount of filtered conditioned air to exhaust from the HEPA/VOCair handling system in order for the remaining filtered conditioned aircombined with additional filtered conditioned air to increase the chancethe air handling units filtered conditioned air will be within thesecond predetermined threshold parameter values.
 2. The HEPA/VOC airhandling system of claim 1 wherein the second predetermined thresholdparameter values can be adjusted.
 3. The HEPA/VOC air handling system ofclaim 1 wherein the first predetermined threshold parameter values canbe adjusted.
 4. The HEPA/VOC air handling system of claim 1 wherein eachsensor system has a first sensor that measures air pressure, a secondsensor that measures CO₂ levels, a third sensor that measures humidityand a fourth sensor that measures temperature.
 5. The HEPA/VOC airhandling system of claim 1 wherein each sensor system has at leastsensor that measures at least two air characteristics selected from thegroup consisting of air pressure, CO₂ levels, humidity and temperature.6. The HEPA/VOC air handling system of claim 1 wherein the air handlingunit has a return air damper and the controller permits determinedquantity of return air into the air handling unit to inhibit deliveringunder-pressurized air into the room.
 7. The HEPA/VOC air handling systemof claim 1 wherein the HEPA filter system is a threaded unit.